Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1887-02-10
our LFersIArrYE IErrER.

1884
Special Core pondence Of Gazette and Journal
Down, Feb. S.--Ths event of the day
IN Legislative halls was Senator Nc
Whorter's defiant challenge to any one
who knew of cloud on his title to come
forward and do his worst. The House
took recess and invaded the Senate
chamber almost in q body to hear and
nee the outcome. Mr.. McWhorter took
the bull by the horns by rising TO q per-
sonal explanation. He excoriated the
Morning Netos oondemning Its innuen.
does respecting himself and declaring
them utterly unfounded asserted
that during the whole period
of his service in the Senate there had
not been time when he was not pre-
pared TO prove his title clear, and de-
maDded that If any Of his fellow-senators
entertained doubts Of his eligibility, he be
accorded full and prompt investigation
When Mr.. McWhOrter sat down, Senator
Cooper arose and offered the resolution
of endorsement (reported in The detailed
proceedings) which WAS at once adopted
without objection or dissent.
An act to dissolve marriage 10, unfor-
tunaiely, no great novelty, but one to
confirm q marriage has some freshness in
this State, and when Mr.. NAPLES gave
notice of such measure this afternoon
the curiosity was general. The petitioner
for the act, Mr.. William A. Dodd, one OF
the richest men in Sussex county, after
living in single blessedness (by the way
Legislative divorce cases make this "bles-
sednessn pretty good word) espoused
his grand nfece-hia sisters daughters
IaVrnhfaN nA11 1sfrn a
terrain elder, first looked over the pro-
hibited degrees of consanguinity in his
family Bible and, not finding this rela-
tionship therein, had no doubt Of the pro-
priety of his course. Now, after two
children have been born of the union, he
finds to his discomfort that the Delaware
statute goes beyond the Bible, and he
comes forward TO plead that his marriage
be made legal and his offspring legiti-
mate.
Captain Dasey's Transportation bill
oontemplales the formation of COM
pany to develop more fully the commerce
of Sussex and to further, indirectly, the
construction of tho projected canal con.
Meeting Indian River bay with Assawomap
sound, thus giving 40 miles of uninter-
rupted INLAND navigation not now avail,
able. This canal will be only two miles
in length, from its northern end ION
Whites creek, tributary of Indian
River bay,) to its southern outlet on
Jefferson's creek, which empties into
Assawoman bay. Congress has appro-
priated $33, 700 for its construction and
the only thing that stands in the way OF
going ahead with the work is the pro-
curing of the right of way, which
will cost $4,000. The bill names
James Ponder, Captain Joseph S.
Atkins and David Fl. Atkins, COM
missioners to receive stock subs Grip.
tions the capital stock being 1926, 900 in
shares of 300 each, with power to in
crease the same up to $3.50, 900. Between
Assawoman Bay and Isle of Wight Bay,
and right on the dividing line between
Delaware and Maryland stands Fenwick's
Island, small affair with lighthouse
on it. Many years ago the owner OF this
island cut ditch across it (that b sing
cheaper than building fenoe) to copfine
his cattle to the eastern half thereof. The
tides went to work ON this ditch and en-
larged and deepened it into a channel
navigable for large vessels.
Everybody will no doubt be glad to
learn that both houses have now conferred
on Alexander Deakyne full power to build
a gate across disused road in Blackbird
hundred. Mr.. Deakyne wishes to keep
stray cattle off his property without va
eating the road, having in mind the pos
| sibility of travel at some future day re-
Stunning its old course thereon.
DOVER, Feb. The Senate has been
| prolific of sensations this morning. They
began with the demand of Senator Dor
man to requalify, in the language given
in the detailed proceedings below.
Speaker Collins invited Mr.. Dorman to
come forward and take the oath.
| DIR. Martin was at once on his feet with
a most vigorous objection. The question,
said he, is as to the gentleman's eligibility
under the disqualifying clause of the con.
stitution, that the senator holding the
office of postmaster Mt the time he was
| sworn in, whether or not that does not
disqualify him. submit, whether, under
the provisions of the constitution we
have obligated ourselves to support, this
| question ought to be referred to the com.
mittee on elections; it would be better fol
this body. There are very grave questions
lnvN yea 10 MS cas- N6H ia FL al
I POAHAAuA AtCAlDH AAt We GLlAttPE my feel
ings are with the senator and, II II were
possible under the constitution that the
senator may be seated, it would be very
agreeable to me. think it would be fan
better for the Senate TO examine into the
matter and inform this body.
Mr.. McWhorter followed with euua
energy. He wished his position to bt
precisely understood. He had the kindest
feelings for Mr.. Dorman and nothing
would afford him greater pleasure thar
to see him seated, if it could be constitu
tionally done; but are we not to stop and
consider before doing anything revolu
tionary2 He would venture TO say that
nothing so utterly revolutionary has beer
done in any State in the Union rs has
been attempted here this morning. Thit
question was brought up one day thit
week in the shape of resolution to lax
this question before the highest tribunal
of the State. In consentiug to that reso
luton stood committed, and so stand
to-day, to be governed by the decision
OF our Judiciary when they shall give
'nswers to our questions. Was there any
objection raised to these questions? MOI
one. Gentlemen on the other side nc
cepted them as entirely satisfactory, in
full confidence that their case would be
supported by the Judiciary. BY request
under the rules, that resolution was LAID
over for one day. Whit has become Of
hf IL is on the table without being acted
on. What evidence have we to day thai
THIS disability hns been removed; that
the gentleman has even handed in his
resignation yet that it has been &C
copied None whatever. | don't doubi
he has done so, but has the matter eotteI
on record? This is revolutionary pro
cedure, that gentleman should get up il
thls body and demand to be sworn and
without receiving the sanction of thii
House, the speaker should invite him for
ward to take the oath. 1t would hay,
been well enough if some friend hae
moved that, suitable inquiry having beer
made and approved, that he be now sworT
and then move that il be supported b,
the vote of the House and placed on thI
journals. | venture to say that such [
case is not recorded. 1t is utterly irrepu
lar, and hope that the Senate is no
going to insist on 1t. We are told tn,
judges are going to be entirely favorable
so says rumor, why then this fear TO le
the matter take legal form and then pas
1t In legal form2 venture to say we ar,
setting an example that some day mem
bers of this body will blush to be called
on to explain.
He sat down and, after half minute o
silent suspense, the speaker arose and pu
the question whether DIR. Martins obiec
ton should be sustained.
Mr.. Bacon, the first member who's,
name was called, after nearly a minute'
hesitation, asked to be excused from yot
ing to which the speaker replied that h,
Was the custodian of his own ballot. Mr.
Crossan waited until the next name wa
ON the clark 70 tnnnrn l1f.n, 1, % ..s......- =